Mark - my background is in clinical microbiology. While the alcohol based sanitizers definitely help, they certainly do NOT kill 99.99% of germs in normal usage. That statement is based on concentrated prolonged contact, not a typical quick wipe down. Clinicians often talk about the LD50 (Lethal Dose 50%). In other words, what dosage of a compound will kill 50% of the "germs" over a specific time period. So, in the lab a concentrated exposure of 2 minutes to an alcohol based sanitizer might be the baseline for LD50 while an exposure of 30 minutes might be required for LD100. These tests also flood the organisms so the conditions are different than a thin layer wiped onto your skin. They can legitimately claim that it kills 99.99% of germs. They just don't tell you how long or under what conditions they are basing that claim. While their label might not be completely inaccurate, it is certainly misleading and helps them sell more sanitizer.
Star San is an acid based germicide and is far more effective. HOWEVER, even Star San bases their results on 2 minutes of contact - they're just more honest on their labeling. I keep a squirt bottle of Star San on the counter and wipe everything, including myself, on a regular basis to avoid contamination. During a make, if I walk away and do something else, I always re-apply the Star San. Just habit.
Bacteria, molds, fungus, yeasts are all "germs". However, some people like to reserve the term for disease causing or problem organisms. So when we talk about starter bacteria then in that context bacteria = good. When we talk about contaminant or coliform bacteria you might refer to them as germs = bad. Just semantics.